"Choo Mi-ae Accused Again by Civic Group for Using Political Funds for Children"

Violation of Political Funds Act: Up to 2 Years Imprisonment or Fine Up to 4 Million Won

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is leaving the plenary session after attending the National Assembly plenary meeting on the 24th.
Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Amid controversy over allegations that Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae used political funds for her children while serving as a member of the National Assembly, a civic group has filed consecutive complaints with the prosecution, accusing Minister Choo of violating the Political Funds Act.

The civic group, Free Korea Patriotic Corps, filed a complaint with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 24th, alleging that Minister Choo used political funds for personal purposes during her time as a lawmaker, violating the Political Funds Act.

In the complaint, the group stated, "According to Minister Choo's political fund expenditure records, approximately 190,000 KRW was spent at a gas station and a restaurant in Nonsan, Chungnam, on the day her son graduated from the Army Training Center in January 2017," adding, "The payment was recorded as a 'lawmaker meeting,' which constitutes private expense use and false accounting reporting."

They further urged, "Minister Choo has betrayed the expectations of the citizens who donated to her, and having served five terms as a lawmaker, she was fully aware of the Political Funds Act, yet blatantly violated it. We request strict punishment."

Earlier, on the 22nd, another civic group, Citizens for Active Freedom, also filed a complaint with the prosecution, accusing Minister Choo of violating the Political Funds Act and fraud for using political funds multiple times for her daughter and son.

The group pointed out, "From November 2014 to August 2015, Minister Choo spent about 2.5 million KRW over 21 occasions at a restaurant owned by her daughter, and notably held press meetings five times even on Sundays," adding, "It is inappropriate in itself to dine at her daughter's restaurant in Itaewon rather than in Yeouido or other official locations."

They also added, "On the day her son graduated from the Army Training Center in Nonsan in 2017, Minister Choo was having lunch at a military base in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, yet at the same time, 50,000 KRW worth of fuel was purchased at a gas station in Yeonmu-eup, Nonsan, and 140,000 KRW was spent at a nearby butcher restaurant."

Meanwhile, according to the Political Funds Act, donations cannot be used for household support or assistance, and violations may result in imprisonment of up to two years or fines of up to 4 million KRW.